Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Haroldo_PSF on July 26, 2011, 11:29:33 AM
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Hi all,
I hate to waste tires. I am again faced with the new tire dillema. I currently have about 4500 miles on my Pirelli Angels STs. The rear has about 1mm of tread ABOVE the tread wear indicators.
I have a 4 day ride coming up next week where we will do about 1400 miles of twisty back roads, no freeway.
I am inclined to rock these tires based on the following logic:
- last year I had the same amount of tread left on a Avon VP2 sport tire. Pure sport rubber. By the end of that trip, the tire was bald, and it had a total of about 2000 miles on it. This time, I have the same amount of tread depth, however, this time it is a sport touring compound, so I'm believing I have enough.
So, scientifically speaking ;D , what are your thoughts?
PS: if I get stuck with my tires on its cords during this trip, I hold no one guilty due to their opinions.
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Haroldo, good to see you back! I would probably change the tires but that is just my opinion- best of luck either way. But please do share any tire changing stories you may generate along the way.....
[img]http://zggtr.org/Smileys/default/ROTFLMAO.gif[img] two times.
Brian
Hi all,
I hate to waste tires. I am again faced with the new tire dillema. I currently have about 4500 miles on my Pirelli Angels STs. The rear has about 1mm of tread ABOVE the tread wear indicators.
I have a 4 day ride coming up next week where we will do about 1400 miles of twisty back roads, no freeway.
I am inclined to rock these tires based on the following logic:
- last year I had the same amount of tread left on a Avon VP2 sport tire. Pure sport rubber. By the end of that trip, the tire was bald, and it had a total of about 2000 miles on it. This time, I have the same amount of tread depth, however, this time it is a sport touring compound, so I'm believing I have enough.
So, scientifically speaking ;D , what are your thoughts?
PS: if I get stuck with my tires on its cords during this trip, I hold no one guilty due to their opinions.
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Hey Haroldo! Yeah, don't take chances and cheap out on your tires. A long trip is not the time to push the limit to save a couple of bucks. Of course your famous for pushing the limit! ;D
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Limits are meant to be pushed, and bike tires are meant to be rocked on the SIDES.
My vote is rock those sweet Angels on the sides of the tires and push the limits of that tire TO THE HILT (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/iconhammer.gif)
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I got 6k on two Angel rear tires and they were touching the wear bars.
I for one would probably push it, I did with my Shinko 009's July4th weekend on a 1200 mile trip and the tire was into the wear bar when I got home but no where near the cord.
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I'm going home now to take penny pictures of the tires. Be right back.
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Tough call, I would change them but then again I'm anal about tires and brakes (Yanno, the little things that can really ruin your day if they aren't working right :) )
I figure money is cheaper then skin :(
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1400 miles ain't much, I think you will make it. But I would find out where the closest place to get a new tire just in case. Another option that I used is to pull the old tire and save it for future use.
FWIW I got 7800 out of my first Angel rear and 4599 out of the second.
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I am in the same boat with my rear PR2. I have about 3mm down the middle and on the right side and 1.5 mm on the left side. I think I will change it for peace of mind before my 2000+ mile trip to DC.
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As I stuck the penny on the middle tread, I realized how shallow it was... It didn't even come close to touching Lincon's head.
I just called my dealer and had my third set of Angels ordered, this time a 190/55 instead of the usual 50.
I just don't want to be thinking about bald tires at all in this trip, so for piece of mind sakes, I'll change them.
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As I stuck the penny on the middle tread, I realized how shallow it was... It didn't even come close to touching Lincon's head.
I just called my dealer and had my third set of Angels ordered, this time a 190/55 instead of the usual 50.
I just don't want to be thinking about bald tires at all in this trip, so for piece of mind sakes, I'll change them.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/icon_worship.gif)190/55(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/icon_worship.gif)
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Great- let us know how that 190/55 works out for you. It is a great test when the same person has used the same brand of tire on the same bike and only changed the aspect ratio.
My rear tire is getting thin in the middle too and I am in a quandary over what to do. I actually have more choices than you mentioned.... I can keep riding these tires (worn but not yet shot), replace them with another set of PR2s or replace them with a set of PR3s. Trying out a set of PR3s would be great except that I really like PR2s and have doubts that the -3s are an improvement on dry roads. What to do.....
Brian
As I stuck the penny on the middle tread, I realized how shallow it was... It didn't even come close to touching Lincon's head.
I just called my dealer and had my third set of Angels ordered, this time a 190/55 instead of the usual 50.
I just don't want to be thinking about bald tires at all in this trip, so for piece of mind sakes, I'll change them.
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I'm funny about tires. I want good ones on my bike and don't like the prospects of riding on cords. But it's your bike and your ass.....
Great- let us know how that 190/55 works out for you. It is a great test when the same person has used the same brand of tire on the same bike and only changed the aspect ratio.
I just put a 190/55 on my bike last week. Same tire as the previous two except the ratio (Michelin PR2). I've ridden with it once and so far I really like it. This Saturday will be a better ride and I'll report back. There will be a disclaimer, as there already is. Any time you replace a worn tire with a new tire it feels a lot better even if its an identical tire. I'll try to keep that in mind as I get a feel for it this weekend.
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[b]190/55's. YOU WILL NEVER GO BACK!!!. They are awesome. It is a different bike. Turn in becomes seamless. I am amazed at what a small difference in size makes for in handling. WAY TO GO!! :chugbeer:
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My rear tire is getting thin in the middle too and I am in a quandary over what to do. I actually have more choices than you mentioned.... I can keep riding these tires (worn but not yet shot), replace them with another set of PR2s or replace them with a set of PR3s. Trying out a set of PR3s would be great except that I really like PR2s and have doubts that the -3s are an improvement on dry roads. What to do.....
Brian
Give the 3 a try Brian, I think you'll like it! :thumbs:
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I ordered new tires, but I still am on the fence. Take a look, wouldn't you say there is easily still another 1500 miles of hard riding in this, or is it cutting close?
ah, the new tire before trip dillema...
These tires have about 5000 miles of non-fun commuting miles on them (light throttle)
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I thought the penny trick was only for car tires. Get a proper tread depth gauge. Remeber the gov't issued that penny so chances are it's a low bid operation. ;D
Form the people I've know with Angels the tire really disappears lightning fast when they get close to the end.
This is the beauty of changing your own tires. Put new ones on for your trip, then toss the old ones back on when you get home and use them up.
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Haroldo, I would say that you have 1500 miles worth of twisties left in those tires. As long as you don't have a ton of slab to contend with you should be good. But new tires will make your trip through the twisties more fun and less worrisome. Just my 2 cents.
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I am in the same situation, I am leaving on a 2500 mile trip and am thinking about changing the rear. I have 5600 miles on my Angels. I have about the same tread left on my rear tire as Haroldo. The front is still in good shape, I am thinking of going with another Angel but going to 190/55 instead of the 190/50.
Off next week August 4 for 7 days of twisties, Riding Washington (Mt Rainer and and Mt St Helens) Oregon (John Day overnight), Grangeville Idaho (overnight,) Lewiston ID 2 night - riding Lolo Hwy 12, Old Sprial Hwy, Rattlesnake Canyon, then heading back north to Omak Wa (overnight).
have a great trip Haroldo
cheers
Paul
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Haroldo, I would say that you have 1500 miles worth of twisties left in those tires. As long as you don't have a ton of slab to contend with you should be good. But new tires will make your trip through the twisties more fun and less worrisome. Just my 2 cents.
+1
But I bet there's 1400 miles of slab left too (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
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It is impossible for anyone to really predict tire life remaining.... that said, the second photo makes me think there are quite a few miles left in that tire. It looks like a lot of tread to the wear bars and there will still be some life left in the tire when the wear bars are at the surface.
As someone else said though, if you change your own tires you can swap out the rear tire now and then put the old tire back on to chew up whatever tread is left. It is basically up to you and depends on how much you like (or hate) changing tires and what your own labor is worth to you. I will say that I have saved tires that are maybe 2/3 worn and have not yet put any back on a motorcycle to 'finish them off' though. Another thought is that having a tire around with some tread life can be handy if you damage a tire and need a quick replacement.
Sorry, none of this answers your question. I am sitting on the exact same fence too- I probably should change out the rear tire but I think I will squeeze one more trip out of it.
And a last thought, the tires for a C-14 are extremely common so you should be able to find a rear tire just about anywhere if you really need one on a trip. It might not be the most desirable type or brand but you should be able to find a very suitable tire at about any motorcycle shop that sells tires.
Brian
I ordered new tires, but I still am on the fence. Take a look, wouldn't you say there is easily still another 1500 miles of hard riding in this, or is it cutting close?
ah, the new tire before trip dillema...
These tires have about 5000 miles of non-fun commuting miles on them (light throttle)
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I am in the same situation, I am leaving on a 2500 mile trip and am thinking about changing the rear. I have 5600 miles on my Angels. I have about the same tread left on my rear tire as Haroldo. The front is still in good shape, I am thinking of going with another Angel but going to 190/55 instead of the 190/50.
Off next week August 4 for 7 days of twisties, Riding Washington (Mt Rainer and and Mt St Helens) Oregon (John Day overnight), Grangeville Idaho (overnight,) Lewiston ID 2 night - riding Lolo Hwy 12, Old Sprial Hwy, Rattlesnake Canyon, then heading back north to Omak Wa (overnight).
have a great trip Haroldo
cheers
Paul
Hey! I have a buddy flying from Seattle to ride with us (we will be riding 08/5 to 08/08). I used to live in Kent, about 20 minutes from Seattle.
I too ordered the 190 / 55. It will be my third set of Angels, and I have say (tire thread alert!), after running PR2s, Avon Storms, Avon VP2 sports, Pilot Power, Pilot Power 2CTs, these tires excel in every aspect: durability, hangling, dry and wet traction. They are coming off with 5000 commuting miles, looking and handling really well for such state. I was thinking abou trying the Metzeler Z8s, but I have no reason to try something else. I think it is hard to beat these tires on this bike.
I figured new tires feel like new suspension, so the extra miles I'm wasting by tossing these tires are not worth the fun new tires will be on this trip, so they are coming off.
@Brian,
Hey man! Didn't you just come across the country the other day? You better not have come close to CA and not contacted me...
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Welcome back Haroldo!
For what it's worth, I ran my Angle ST's down to where I could almost see the cords, and I would say from looking at the pictures of yours, there's easily plenty of rubber left for your 4 day ride. I would bet you could still run them for a few weeks after you get back.
The only reason to worry about changing them is the thinner the rubber gets, the easier it is to get a puncture flat (sharp rock, piece of broken glass, etc.). I had 4 plugs in my rear Angel when I swapped it. The first was from a nail much earlier, but the last 3 (cause unknown) were in the last few hundred miles of it's life.
If you carry a plug kit and small compressor, then no worries. Just push it harder in the corners to get rid of that extra side wall rubber. ;)
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I had 4 plugs
Whatever happened to 3 strikes and throw it out? ;) Glad you made it home each time...but really?
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Mine recently developed cool silver racing stripes.
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` I had 4 plugs'
Whatever happened to 3 strikes and throw it out? ;) Glad you made it home each time...but really?
It was the last few weeks before parking if for the season. Just trying to milk it so I wouldn't miss a moment of riding before the rainy season started. I had 2 brand new tires waiting on deck though.
The last 3 plugs were due to slow leaks, so just annoying, not flats. I also carry plug kit and compressor with me all the time. ;)
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Mine recently developed cool silver racing stripes.
That's exactly how mine looked, but with 4 plugs in it, and a 1" strip of Green Slime down the center of the inside . ;D
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Good post Haroldo, and glad you found a set of tires that work well for you. I am in the exact same boat with PR2s; I have absolutely nothing to complain about and love those tires and yet still am tempted to try PR3s. Go figure.
OFFTOPIC: Yep, went to the coast of Washington on 6 June (D Day here in the US). Well I left the right coast on 6 June and got to the left coast on 8 June. I posted a link to a satellite tracking device and quite a few folks watched me make the run in real- time. If you want to look the link is stlll up at: http://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=2ed64debc2480041f (http://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=2ed64debc2480041f) There is a thread about it here: http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2286.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2286.0) I never went south of Tacoma, WA though and was not within 700 miles of you though. It was a fast trip out and back with just a few sightseeing detours on the way back.
Brian
Hey! I have a buddy flying from Seattle to ride with us (we will be riding 08/5 to 08/08). I used to live in Kent, about 20 minutes from Seattle.
I too ordered the 190 / 55. It will be my third set of Angels, and I have say (tire thread alert!), after running PR2s, Avon Storms, Avon VP2 sports, Pilot Power, Pilot Power 2CTs, these tires excel in every aspect: durability, hangling, dry and wet traction. They are coming off with 5000 commuting miles, looking and handling really well for such state. I was thinking abou trying the Metzeler Z8s, but I have no reason to try something else. I think it is hard to beat these tires on this bike.
I figured new tires feel like new suspension, so the extra miles I'm wasting by tossing these tires are not worth the fun new tires will be on this trip, so they are coming off.
@Brian,
Hey man! Didn't you just come across the country the other day? You better not have come close to CA and not contacted me...
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Mine recently developed cool silver racing stripes.
Nothing to worry about here. There's more rubber on the other side of the cords. ;D
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...... I was thinking abou trying the Metzeler Z8s, but I have no reason to try something else. I think it is hard to beat these tires on this bike.
I too, am happy with my Angels and going with 190/55s on the next swap. :thumbs:
Have fun on your trip Haroldo, and please share your "road stories" with us. :)